Students of the Diploma in Food Preparation and Production at the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) have ended up missing a number of lectures because of disorganisation and lack of communication between the academic staff.

In comments to this newspaper, a number of students said that within the first month of the scholastic year, their timetable has been changed three times. Lecturers are also unaware of timetable changes, and as a result are failing to show up to classes, with students having to go round the institute to inform them they should be having a lesson at that time.

In addition, the students said that a number of lecturers are resigning, and as a result, subject units are being dropped. Some of the lectures are being carried out in classes that are too small for the number of students present.

The students have been trying to reach out to the management regarding the situation, however, they have repeatedly been told to speak to the director, who, according to the students, is almost never available. The students undergoing the diploma added that the course lacks enough hands-on subject units on food preparation itself.

Henry Mifsud, the institute's Executive Director dismissed the claims, and said that all timetables have been finalised and published. He added that several other levels of the course run in parallel with the diploma course.

Questions on the issue were also sent to the ministry of tourism, which is in charge of the institute, however the spokesperson merely replied: "I am informed that ITS already answered your query."